NASA is utilizing the microgravity environment of the International Space Station (ISS) to refine robotic techniques for capturing, servicing, or clearing space debris in low Earth orbit. On Tuesday, Station Commander Suni Williams played a key role in this endeavor by activating the Astrobee robotic free-flyer and attaching flexible arms equipped with gecko-inspired adhesive pads.
Williams monitored the toaster-sized Astrobee as it autonomously located and secured a "capture cube," replicating a similar test conducted in December. The successful execution of these trials holds significant potential for strengthening orbital infrastructure and extending the operational lifespan of satellites.
In addition to the Astrobee demonstration, other ISS crew members engaged in various tasks. NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit dedicated much of his day to supporting laboratory research. He collected station water samples and analyzed water quality using the Total Organic Carbon Analyzer. Pettit also replaced fuel canisters in the Combustion Integrated Rack, a platform designed for microgravity flame and fuel studies. He further relocated an airborne particulate monitor to the Zvezda service module to assess air purity.
NASA Flight Engineer Nick Hague focused on station logistics, transferring cargo between the ISS and Northrop Grumman's Cygnus resupply ship, which has been docked since August 6, 2024. He also updated software on an EXPRESS rack computer supporting various investigations.
Meanwhile, NASA Flight Engineer Butch Wilmore completed the storage of tools in the Quest airlock following last week's spacewalk and conducted maintenance on the orbital plumbing in the Tranquility module.
Roscosmos Flight Engineer Aleksandr Gorbunov set up the EarthKAM system in the Harmony module, aiming the camera towards Earth and calibrating its focus. This system enables students worldwide to remotely control the camera and capture detailed photographs of noteworthy landmarks.
Flight Engineers Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner collaborated in the Zvezda module on routine maintenance tasks. Ovchinin also positioned gas analyzers to monitor carbon dioxide levels near crew quarters and workstations in the Roscosmos segment, ensuring a safe living environment on the station.